The Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP) has partnered with Anything Insurance and the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) to open the BIAW Health Trust to WALP member companies. The Health Trust is a group health plan available exclusively to member businesses, and many members save 10 to 15% over what they currently pay for health benefits. The plan includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with an employee assistance program. Members can choose from more than 50 plans and customize coverage to meet the needs of their workforce. A dedicated service team is available to answer questions from both employers and employees.
The two-employee minimum is a key feature that makes the program especially valuable for smaller landscape companies. On their own, small employers are often priced as small groups with limited buying power. Through WALP, member companies gain access to a large group health plan and the greater buying power that comes with it.
Dave Haizlip, WALP State President, announced the partnership at the Northwest Nurseries Summer BBQ on August 12. "We’ve worked on bringing this benefit to WALP members for quite some time because access to quality, affordable health insurance can make a real difference for landscape companies and their employees," said Haizlip. "Whether it’s a small company offering benefits for the first time or a larger company looking to reduce costs, this gives our members access to greater buying power. When we announced the partnership at the Northwest Nurseries Summer BBQ and immediately had a small company member ask who they could contact to learn more, it reinforced exactly why we pursued this."
For landscape companies, health insurance represents a significant expense and serves as an important tool for attracting and retaining employees. The Health Trust provides WALP members with access to group health coverage and competitive pricing that may otherwise be difficult to obtain independently. This is particularly crucial in an industry where labor shortages persist and competitive benefits can set employers apart.
Access to the program is available exclusively to active WALP member companies. Landscape companies interested in the program can learn more about WALP membership at walp.org. The partnership reflects a broader trend of industry associations leveraging collective buying power to deliver tangible value to their members, potentially reshaping how small businesses in Washington approach employee benefits.
